1st Advantage MortgageSan Juan County households have a median income of $55,872 and median rent of $956 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in New Mexico before sharing details.
On this page
- San Juan County, NM: the basics
- Household income in San Juan County
- The San Juan County job picture
- San Juan County housing compared with New Mexico
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up San Juan County
- Debt-to-income at San Juan County's medians
- San Juan County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for San Juan County borrowers
- Four steps for San Juan County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for San Juan County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
San Juan County, NM: the basics
Roughly 120,942 residents live in San Juan County, New Mexico, 5th by population among the state's 33 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 5,517 square miles, that works out to roughly 21.9 residents per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Farmington, NM metropolitan area. Of the 36 Census places inside San Juan County, Farmington leads by population with about 46,314; 4 of the 36 are incorporated.
Household income in San Juan County
At $55,872, the typical San Juan County household income is 15% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 14th of 32.
| Income band | Share in San Juan County | Difference from New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.6% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.1% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -2.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of San Juan County households make $100,000 or more, and 32% make less than $35,000. Census counts 23.1% of San Juan County residents in poverty, against 17.8% across New Mexico. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.471 here. A household earning below the $55,872 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The San Juan County job picture
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; arts, lodging and food service is next with 12%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.3% in San Juan County. Long commutes are common here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 6.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | San Juan County | Difference from New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.0% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.7% | +5.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Public administration | 6.2% | -1.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
San Juan County housing compared with New Mexico
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $956 in San Juan County versus $1,067 statewide. By the Census definition, 42% of San Juan County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $193,800, a typical San Juan County house costs 3.5 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 71%. The median year built is 1986.
| San Juan County | New Mexico | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $956/mo | $1,067/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $193,800 | $248,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 30.1% | 15.5% | n/a |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (59 to 91 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than San Juan County; La Plata County is highest at $86,056 and McKinley County lowest at $47,668. The list crosses into Colorado, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan County | - | $55,872 | $956/mo | 71% |
| Montezuma County, CO | 59 mi | $65,244 | $942/mo | 76% |
| La Plata County, CO | 60 mi | $86,056 | $1,504/mo | 71% |
| McKinley County, NM | 64 mi | $47,668 | $859/mo | 70% |
| Dolores County, CO | 85 mi | $64,907 | $986/mo | 81% |
| Archuleta County, CO | 85 mi | $83,065 | $1,432/mo | 80% |
| Rio Arriba County, NM | 91 mi | $57,155 | $740/mo | 80% |
The communities that make up San Juan County
The table lists the 14 largest of 36 Census places in San Juan County, by population. Together all 36 hold about 101,448 people, so roughly 16% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $28,831 in Napi Headquarters to $142,750 in Fruitland. Median rent ranges from $439 in Napi Headquarters to $1,572 in Waterflow. No San Juan County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 36.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | city | 46,314 | $68,784 | $1,037 | 19 mi |
| Shiprock | CDP | 7,610 | $35,900 | $694 | 28 mi |
| Bloomfield | city | 7,395 | $48,472 | $984 | 25 mi |
| Aztec | city | 6,150 | $41,977 | $629 | 29 mi |
| Crouch Mesa | CDP | 4,812 | $63,750 | $1,040 | 21 mi |
| Lee Acres | CDP | 4,272 | $44,583 | $1,077 | 20 mi |
| Flora Vista | CDP | 2,770 | $44,352 | $1,495 | 24 mi |
| Center Point | CDP | 2,286 | $51,358 | $1,396 | 32 mi |
| West Hammond | CDP | 2,236 | $48,929 | $1,208 | 20 mi |
| La Plata | CDP | 2,233 | $57,071 | $938 | 27 mi |
| Angustura | CDP | 1,997 | $53,750 | $1,175 | 27 mi |
| South River | CDP | 1,810 | $68,668 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Upper Fruitland | CDP | 1,457 | $49,453 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Spencerville | CDP | 1,264 | $78,899 | $1,301 | 26 mi |
Debt-to-income at San Juan County's medians
How much room does a median San Juan County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $55,872 a year is $4,656 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $956, which is 21% of it
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $674 left for all other debt payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,139 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $956, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
San Juan County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 12.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| San Juan County | New Mexico | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.3% | 31.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.1% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.9% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.3% | 12.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.1% | 17.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | San Juan County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 8.6% |
What the numbers mean for San Juan County borrowers
Where the San Juan County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 13% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 30% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 23% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Four steps for San Juan County borrowers
Quick steps for San Juan County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Who licenses lenders for San Juan County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a San Juan County resident can confirm its license with the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on New Mexico: New Mexico personal loans.
Related local guides
The New Mexico guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical San Juan County household make?
About $55,872 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 13% below the New Mexico median.
What do renters pay in San Juan County?
$956 a month at the median, about 21% of median household income.
Should San Juan County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of San Juan County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Farmington?
Yes, along with the other 35 Census places in San Juan County, such as Shiprock, Bloomfield, Aztec.
Will a San Juan County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming New Mexico as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.